Too Hard for China to Beat Brazil, Says Milutinovic

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, April 19, 2002

Too Hard for China to Beat Brazil, Says Milutinovic

It would be extremely difficult for China to beat powerhouse Brazil in this year's World Cup finals, said Bora Milutinovic, Chinese national soccer team coach.

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It would be extremely difficult for China to beat powerhouse Brazil in this year's World Cup finals, said Bora Milutinovic, Chinese national soccer team coach.

China, entering the premier soccer tournament for the first time, is in Group C together with former world champion Brazil, Costa Rica and Turkey.

He admitted that although Brazil was not rated the favorite for the title this time, they still posed as a seemingly unbeatable rival on the pitch.

"Since the Brazilians are not rated as the favorite for the title, they will enter the games much relaxed than before, which helps bring their ability to a full display," said Milutinovic.

"To cope with the great challenge from Brazil in the match will be very hard," he continued, "and it is much harder to beat them. Therefore, the opponents I attach most importance to is Costa Rica."

The Central American team is no stranger to Milutinovic. Dubbed by many as the "Miraculous coach", he steered Mexico, Costa Rica, the United States, Nigeria and China respectively to the World Cup finals in succession.

After he pushed an Costa Rican team made up of amateurs into the last sixteen in the 1990 World Cup on their first World Cup finals tour in history, his fame rose rapidly.

"I know this team so well that nothing about them is a secret to me."

"As for Turkey, I was really impressed by their rapid progress.Although the Turks played not so well against South Korea, I thought their performance did not tell their true ability."

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